Y2K-The End of Life As We Know It

A rational person could conclude the world has gone mad. And not just a little loony, a little off kilter or slightly eccentric either. We live in a certifiably crazy world. A world where violence and hatred, neurosis and psychological disorders are normal; in other words, a world where normalcy is really an abnormal state. It is now normal to be abnormal.

Ponder the Y2k implications of living in a world where what was once considered abnormal and deviant is now either accepted or tolerated as normal reality. The new global reality is this. It is not that violent or crazy acts happen everywhere all the time in our pre Y2k world. The truth is that violent or crazy acts can happen anywhere at anytime. Anytime and anyplace, remember that well. It is the Rosetta Stone for understanding the global psychosis deepening around us.

One of the major needs, besides toilet paper, of human beings is to feel secure and to have a place where they feel unthreatened. This is why random acts of mindless violence lead to a sense of general unease among people. The background level of stress is increased after each such incident. Particularly in technological, impersonal western cultures-where people are already at Def-Con 3 over the chaos of modern life. Def-Con is a U.S.A. military nuclear alert status that starts at 5, which is peace, and goes to 1, which is global radioactive toast. With 7 months and counting till Y2k, the global populace is edgy, paranoid and has a short fuse in American slang. This being their state of mind prior to Y2k, one has to ponder their state of mind post Y2k.

In certain environments, say a ghetto or a war zone, paranoia is a rational response. In certain cases, being uneasy and alert helps to survive and even thrive. In certain situations, like Y2k for instance, the gloves come off, the thin veneer of society peels off and people go into combat mode. All of the preceding being terribly politically incorrect in our modern world. One wonders why anyone would expect a stressed out populace, deprived of basic technology to behave rationally. Has anyone else besides me noticed that people aren't behaving too rationally now? Yet widespread rational behavior is exactly what the powers to be expect, aside from a "little rioting" among the ghetto dwellers. So much blindness and arrogance; so little time left to prepare.

Y2k is devastating to modern technological society for two reasons. The first is that Y2k scrambles the technological infrastructure of our global society. Y2k threatens to decouple both the boxcars and luxury cars from the technological train engine; sending us hurtling backwards into the abyss. Does anyone contemplate what living in 1900 exactly means? And even if we go back only to 1972 or 1980, this will cause a "mere" global depression. All of which we could deal with except for number two. Y2k is the single most unnerving prospect to modern technological man, with the possible exception of global nuclear, biological or chemical war, planetary ecological disaster or an asteroid strike. I'd include the prospect of Al Gore being elected United States president, but that would be too terrifying to think about.

The Second reason Y2k strikes terror is that it questions the technology cult underlying our modern societies. It is not necessary for Y2k to actually do anything disastrous to fulfill its role as technological heretic. Y2k strikes so much terror into the deepest recess of modern man that he responds by denial. A denial that is so complete and through it simply cannot accept Y2k's implications. And so with a mere 240 days to go, most people aren't even thinking about Y2k, much less actively preparing for it. The reason for this astounding turn of events is simple. I shall label it "uncertainty overload". People simply cannot get a handle on what Y2k will mean for them personally. They have probably heard the term Y2k by now. They may even have some understanding of its potential is for global chaos. But they cannot zero in on what will really happen. They are like an antiaircraft crew which has picked up a plane on radar, begins the process of tracking it, to determine if it is friend or foe, and then decide whether to shoot it down. All of this being done during a howling rainstorm, in the stress of combat, physical fatigue, fear and under the command of a "cruit" officer just out of ROTC. With these conditions the antiaircraft crew might very well shoot their feet off, or at least not make the right decision in time.

The official disinformation campaign on Y2k has made things worse, delaying vital awareness among the global populace. There is always a conflict between the urgent and the important. The urgent is the phone ringing. The important is the report the boss wants in a week. In modern life, the urgent will always win out over the important unless a conscious decision is made to ignore the urgent and deal with the important. Y2k is a classic example of this. The urgent problems, crisis, and just the physics of modern day to day life have all conspired to keep Y2k in the background as next years problem. 240 days isn't a long time, but when today is filled with High School Gothic Terrorists, Kosovo genocide, Yugoslavian Air Strikes, global economic, political and military instability, and a President who has renamed the Oval office the Oral office -Y2k gets not just pushed to the back burner but off the stove altogether.

A person hearing about Y2k from official sources might conclude that while there wasn't a problem a year ago, there is now. Fortunately, the same official sources that told you Y2k wasn't a problem-but now is-have confidently asserted that they have it under control and issue deadlines to meet. Like the September 30, 1998 deadline; the December 31st 1998 one; the March 30th 1999 one and now rapidly approaching June 30th one. Lost in the clutter of modern life is the obvious fact that these are all missed deadlines, including the approaching June 30th one. For instance, 11 of the 24 federal government agencies missed the March 30th one, with the ones that made it showcasing the following maxim: "If at first you don't succeed, redefine success". Y2k has evidenced the largest failure to meet a deadline in computer history and it has happened three times in a row. Remember 12-31-98 with a year for testing? Now it is June 30th, 1999 with six months for testing. Soon it will be September 30th with three months for testing and then 12-31-1999 with three minutes for testing and a full year for spin control.

The term TEOTWAWKI (the end of the world as we know it) is often used In use-net discussion groups to describe survivalist visions of a coming societal meltdown. I personally prefer this essay's title as I think it is a more accurate description of Y2k's likely effects. The world will go on. As Mark Twain put it "All I learned about life can be summed up in three words "It goes on". And so life will go on after Y2k hits, but it will not be life as we now know it. The global economy will be reduced to the status of a badly run state Department of Motor Vehicles. Life will be chaotic, unstable and the basics of our technological superstate will be frayed. We will have electricity, but only for 6 hours a day, just like a third world country. Social tensions, class inequalities and economic poverty will result in a surge of political envy. Just how popular do you think Bill Gates, with his $100 billion, will be next year? If things get bad enough, and the system holds together long enough, Y2k's political upheaval may surpass its economic one. I doubt the elite's will be done away with completely, but I can foresee Y2k tribunals and the trial, conviction, and possibly summary execution, of many current political, economic and social leaders. Read what happened to the economic leaders of 1929 after the Stock Market crash. Interesting reading, since they all were thrown in jail and universally despised.

Admiral Chester Nimitz, given command at Pearl Harbor after the Japanese attack commented that he waited until the disaster before actually accepting the previously offered command. He felt that anyone in command on December 7th, 1941 would be destroyed utterly regardless of technical competence. Likewise, Y2k will sweep away anyone in a position of authority now. The only real questions are how bad will Y2k be; how bad do the current political, economic, media, social and educational elite's want to hang onto power. We have a liberal veneer to a predatory, corporate banking oligarchy attempting to rule the world. Life as we now know it is ending almost on a daily basis. Over the next few months, and well in the next millennium the process of decay will increase until we see either freedom or slavery. Y2k will either awaken the world's people to the truths of sound money backed by gold and silver, a sound society backed by personal morality and a truly peaceful, prosperous global system. Or, the global banking oligarchy will use the chaos to cement its control and finish off the only remaining bastion of freedom remaining; namely, the United States. In so doing, the global bankers will usher in a new medieval feudal system with themselves and their cronies as its nobility and the rest of us as serfs.

WHO WILLS CAN-WHO TRIES DOES-WHO LOVES LIVES

Doug McIntosh

3 May 1999

Gold Eagle site

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), May 08, 1999

Answers

Andy:

I totally agree with you that the political fallout will be immense and of Biblical proportions. If we are able to have November 2000 elections, I'll bet that nearly all incumbents will be defeated, that a 3rd party candidate out of the blue will be President. If we are lucky it will be someone like Jesse Ventura, if we are not we will get someone like David Duke. But the odds are not good. The odds are that some really authoritarian with many fixed ideas will be elected. I believe that the worst effect of y2k may be the 11/2000 elections. The anger of the American people next year will be immense. Their distrust of the mass media will be total. This is NOT a good combination at all. And as a Libertarian, this makes me very fearful. And do not worry about Al Gore, look at his face, he knows what is about to happen, and that he will never be elected to anything ever again. Gore knows, the Feds know. Bill Clinton is the best actor the world has ever seen, but old Al is not!

-- Tennessean (holladayl@aol.com), May 08, 1999.

Alas there will be no elections, we are stuck with Slick, TPTB want Bush junior as Slick's back-up.

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), May 08, 1999.

What I really meant to say is we are stuck with the gruesome twosome - Hillary has Slick by the balls now and she is just another puppetmaster.

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), May 08, 1999.

The law of unintended consequences always supplies opportunies: the new Str Wrs movie pits the good guys against an evil galactic (read: global)_ trade federation (read GATT/NAFTA/NWO). In an age when civility has been replaced by politics. Whatever was Mr. Lucas thinking?

-- Spidey (in@jam.com), May 08, 1999.

don't be dissen' star wars.the world might end as we know it,but goddamit,at least I'll be able to see the new flick I've been waiting 20 years to see.It might(it does)seem silly,but in this year of dread and working overtime to buy dried beans,star wars is the escapist release that's been keeping me sane.use the force and buy more beans!

-- zoobie (zoobiezoob@yahoo.com), May 08, 1999.

This essay still holds itself on the principal that everything will "Shut down" And that Jan 1, 2000 is the absolute time that everything will go haywire. And the factual evidence and estimates that much of the world will hit Year 2000 rollover programs about 6 before Jan 1st.

The essay is based on the theories that "things will be bad." It does a great job of putting scenarios that "could" happen. But borrowing a phrase, Wheres the beef? What facts back this up? What studies show that people will riot?

Anyone can write what they "think" will happen, but that isn't fact, its a persons opinion. Nothing wrong with opinions though, just that everyone has one.

-- Pat (BAMECW@aol.com), May 08, 1999.

More opinions...

http://www.joc.com/issues/990308/p1age1/e20324.htm

[snip]

March 8, 1999

Experts warn of Y2K trade upheaval

Each nation's problem will become a global one

BY WILLIAM ROBERTS

JOURNAL OF COMMERCE STAFF

WASHINGTON -- Experts on the millennium computer bug warned Congress last week that international commerce and trade may face serious disruptions early next year because of computer failures in foreign countries.

Painting an alarming but uncertain picture, a National Intelligence Council officer and a State Department watchdog told a special Senate oversight panel on Friday that many foreign nations are not prepared.

"It is becoming increasingly clear that there will be Y2K-related problems in virtually very corner of the globe," Jacquelyn L. Williams-Bridgers, inspector general of the Department of State, told a hearing of the Senate Special Committee on the Year 2000 Technology Problem.

"Faced with a relentless and unforgiving deadline, countries have to make difficult decisions concerning the use of scarce resources to fix a problem that has not yet occurred," she said.

[snip]

The international transportation sector is particularly vulnerable, she and Lawrence K. Gershwin, National Intelligence Council officer for science and technology, said. "Global linkages in telecommunications, financial systems, the manufacturing supply chain, oil supplies, trade and worldwide shipping and air transportation will virtually guarantee that Y2K problems will not be isolated to individual countries," Mr. Gershwin said.

Among the difficulties the two officials outlined:

Both the Panama and Suez canals face the risk of disrupted operations should traffic management systems or ship steering mechanisms fail. Panama officials say no ships will be allowed into the canal on Dec. 31. A Norwegian firm is working now on fixing the Suez Canal's traffic system.

China probably will experience failures in several areas, including transportation and power generation. An estimated 90% of software used in China, even by government offices and state-owned enterprises, is pirated, making it very difficult to approach vendors for fixes. China is planning to conduct a nationwide aviation test. Senior officials have been ordered to fly on New Year's Day.

Central and Eastern Europe are believed to face vulnerabilities in Soviet-designed nuclear power plants, though Western experts do not know what specific problems they may have. Many vendors of the software and equipment stopped operating after the fall of the Soviet Union.

Russia Gazprom natural gas pipeline network is susceptible to potential Y2K outages. It supplies nearly 50% of the total energy consumed by Russia. While Gazprom has backup plans, it is unclear whether these measures are sufficient to deal with the scale of problems that could occur.

Major oil-producing nations are behind in fixing their Y2K problems. Oil production and distribution is largely in the hands of multinational corporations, but the sector's use of information technology is highly intensive.

[snip]

-- Kevin (mixesmusic@worldnet.att.net), May 08, 1999.

a very good read

-- zoob (zoobiezoob@yahoo.com), May 08, 1999.

Andy,

Now THAT one I'll post at my Web site -- provided you meet that one minor provisio that I stated earlier: you have to acknowledge it with your full name. (I require that of anyone who has an article at the site.)

-- Stephen M. Poole, CET (smpoole7@bellsouth.net), May 08, 1999.

Pat,

Fair points, which Doug has answered. I know in my own mind what is likely to happen. If I am wrong I will be ecstatic and get on with my life. I see how stressed people are every day. How greedy, how programmed, how stupid.

"What studies show that people will riot?"

You don't need a study - just plain old common sense. Gas line shootings in 73-74. Looting within minutes in the New York blackout. Te Rodney King trial. The last few years in England - London's Trafalgar Square rioting at the introduction of the Poll Tax.

Pat - the evidence is all around you.

When the general 280m population realise that they have been hoodwinked over a) their 401k's (for the middle class) b) non appearance of welfare cheques, breakdown of the welfare state infrastructure for the "useless eaters" c)hoodwinked over the seriousness of y2k - banking collapse - runs - currency problems...

yes - THERE WILL BE RIOTS

not in bumbfucque Wichita, but in Detroit, LA, NYC, Oakland, Atlanta - all the major metroplexes are racial tinderboxes at the moment. Any one of a number of possible factors will touch off the fuse paper. It's a no-brainer.

FEMA knows it, Reno and Clinton know it, the military are practising urban warfare now, and have been stepping this up for ages (and not for Kosovo - for the mainland USA) - steps are being taken by TPTB.

People will be sacrificed to achieve a set agenda. It is patently obvious. Hence the defening silence from DeeCee and the various sideshows playing out now.

What's going on here is not just about y2k - y2k is a big part of it, but there is much more going on than meets the eye. Pat, check out some previous threads, you haven't got long to get yourself up to speed in these matters.

Of course you could remain ignorant - like 99.999% of the "useless eaters" (Hey Kissengers' and Prince Charles' words - not mine - this is how the elite look at you and me) - your choice.

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), May 08, 1999.

Andy writes:

People will be sacrificed to achieve a set agenda. It is patently obvious. Hence the defening silence from DeeCee and the various sideshows playing out now.

And the agenda is what Andy? Myself, and a majority of others don't live our lives on conspiracy. In school, do we teach our children conspiracy or facts? Enlighten us on how the gov't is going to be playing out there greatest worked angle ever.

In all honesty, this is the whole heart of the Year 2000 rollover as a social problem. I don't see anything wrong with your view. Its just a matter of how a person looks at the world. I hold more faith in people that nobody is out to get me. Maybe thats why I can't stand X-Files(lol)

What's going on here is not just about y2k - y2k is a big part of it, but there is much more going on than meets the eye. Pat, check out some previous threads, you haven't got long to get yourself up to speed in these matters.

On the conspiracy that the gov't and New World Order are set to take over our lives? Another thought too, since I answered this question really at the top. Biblically, if a person feels that Judgment will occur in 2000, its a matter of fate. I am a Christian, and attend a Episcopal church(Anglican for friends outside of US) and I don't connect 2000 and judgment. The Gregorian Calender is the basis of our timeline. But we missed the boat, 2000 was 1996, 97 was 2001, 98 was 2002, and now is 2003. The birth of Jesus in our calendar would have taken place in 4 BC.

Of course you could remain ignorant - like 99.999% of the "useless eaters" (Hey Kissengers' and Prince Charles' words - not mine - this is how the elite look at you and me) - your choice.

I think then I proudly proclaim my ignorance. Conspiracy theories are not fact. Conspiracies that UFO's are in Hanger 18, that a link between Kennedy and Lincoln can be found as both had secretaries named Lincoln and Kennedy respectively, and Andy Kauffman is getting set to return from the grave as his nuttiest goof on America yet are wild guesses. And in my profession(law), if I gave the judge a document with reasons why he did the crimes for someone else without specifics would have me lose my job.

Quickly though, I do agree with you that people are frustrated and that problems could arise, but problems that require an actual war within the United States?

Lastly, while I was typing this, the radio just played Silverchairs, "Anthem for the Year 2000" Could it be a sign that someone is watching me, and switched my radio receiver to get the song?

-- Pat (BAMECW@aol.com), May 08, 1999.

Pat,

It is not my responsibility to hold you by the hand and lead you down the byways and cul de sacs of the great game. That one is up to you. The tools are all about you - this forum, libraries, the internet, the radio.

I'm a computer professional of 20 plus years who can see the writing on the wall, technically speaking.

Anything else I might say is obviously my own personal view - take it or leave it - it's your problem what you do with this type of information, not mine.

OK?

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), May 08, 1999.

And I never asked for you to lead me by the hand. But in all honesty, you win, and this forumn. I give up.

Many in this forum, but not all do not ever talk about the reprocussions of Year 2000 rollover. What the forum consits of article postings that look Y2K problems that aren't there, conspiracy theories and wild guesses, and people wishing for Y2K in hopes of justification about something a person feels angry at the world about.

But many in this forum, polly or doomer should realize, no matter how much we scream for our side, the total percentage of us only maybe amounts for 10% of tht total population, and I would guess that is generous in the amount of people.

Sincerely, Pat Gov't Y2K official in charge of Internet coverup

-- Pat (BAMECW@aol.com), May 08, 1999.

Pat - I'm sorry to have pissed you off but it ticks me off that you brought up space aliens and the usual suspects when talking about conspiracies ... which you believe are all hokum right :)

"And I never asked for you to lead me by the hand. But in all honesty, you win, and this forumn. I give up. Many in this forum, but not all do not ever talk about the reprocussions of Year 2000 rollover. What the forum consits of article postings that look Y2K problems that aren't there, conspiracy theories and wild guesses, and people wishing for Y2K in hopes of justification about something a person feels angry at the world about.

+++++++ Such is life Pat, got to sort the wheat from the cahff, even here :) +++++++

But many in this forum, polly or doomer should realize, no matter how much we scream for our side, the total percentage of us only maybe amounts for 10% of tht total population, and I would guess that is generous in the amount of people.

+++++++ I would say 0.9999%, and that's maybe being generous ++++++

Sincerely, Pat Gov't Y2K official in charge of Internet coverup."

+++++++ Come on. Don't be so cynical. There is a lot going on Pat that is zooming right over the top of your head. You don't HAVE to take an interest - but that attitude - I jus't don't understand it... +++++++

Later - do stick around :)

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), May 09, 1999.

Hooo-WHEE! Patty-cake sez, "Many in this forum, but not all do not ever talk about the reprocussions [sic] of Year 2000 rollover. What the forum consits [sic] of article postings that look [sic] Y2K problems that aren't there, conspiracy theories and wild guesses, and people wishing for Y2K in hopes of justification about something a person feels angry at the world about." Pretty sic, huh?

Well, lookee here, see what sagaciousness Patty-cake displays on Der Boonkah, lots about "reprocussions" here:

http://www.InsideTheWeb.com/messageboard/mbs.cgi?acct=mb237006&MyNum=9 26207552&P=No&TL=926207552

Debunking Y2k webboard

Another problem is coming our way, Saturday, 08-May-1999 19:52:32

152.163.206.201 writes:

I wanted to let everyone know ahead of time, that we [sic] about to run into a problem. In a mere 8,000 years, we will be rolling over into Y10K.

Programmers have not been programming dates for this rollover, and are only programming up to 9999. But I can help you all, my coming generations will be patiently setting up spaces on the Planet XY12432 for your future generations to take up shelter in [sic] for the coming chaos at ray guns will go off by themselves.

All that is needed is a down payment of $100,000 for a space on the Planet XY12432 when the time comes. Insure a safe future for your family, and avoid the Y10K coming chaos.

Pat

-- OutingsR (us@here.yar), May 09, 1999.

Oh

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), May 09, 1999.

Then when I do ever do post something, I'll throw on a Sarcasm alert on anything that could be taken in the wrong context. The Y2K gov't internet coverup is a poke at many that keep asking why a Polly would post here. And that we are being paid to do it.

And the post over at Y2K Debunking is a joke, do you honestly think Im taking money for Y10K for a planet that I just tapped the keyboard and randomly assigned a name? Im playing on the Profits of Doom. Michael Hyatt, Gary North, Ed Yourdon, Y2KNewswire(Y2KSupply), why does a simple joke need to be explained?

Its like screaming fire in a crowded theater, but then having fire exstinguishers for people to purchase. Why do you think they continue to promote TEOTWAWKI. Maybe in 1997 it looked that way, but 300 billion spent has taken a definate chunk.

But why does Gary North continue to sell subscriptions until 2001? If I have to fight other people to keep them from my stockpile, that last thing I will wonder is if my Remant Review came in the mail today.

****Sarcasm alert**** Or maybe I should start taking the down payment for the spaces on the planet. Anyone interested? ****Sarcasm alert****

-- Pat (BAMECW@aol.com), May 09, 1999.

Eh???

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), May 09, 1999.

That was saarcasm, Patsy? You mean it's not true -- you're not selling spaces on Planet XY12432? Fiddle-de-dee, dear, you had me going for a minute.

Okay -- is the following serious or sarcasm? (I found it at Der Boonkah.) Because if it's sarcasm, then I need to send another e-mail to Ed -- I thought it was a pretty good suggestion, especially in its brevity, and forwarded it to him. Please let me know ASAP.

http://www.InsideTheWeb.com/messageboard/mbs.cgi?acct=mb237006&MyNum=9 26175003&P=Yes&TL=926146478

Debunking Y2k webboard

Re: WOW like I care, Saturday, 08-May-1999 10:50:03

205.188.197.151 writes:

My advice to Ed that can sum up what would be the best to say:

Senator Bennett: Mr. Yourdon, you may take the floor.

Yourdon walks up to the podium, holding copies of his book and video.

Ed Yourdon: Buy my book and video to learn how to survive the coming chaos. Thank you

Stepping down from the podium, Yourdon walks back and sits in his seat

Pat

-- OutingsR (us@here.yar), May 09, 1999.

It doesn't matter to me if you send it over or not. Since he places himself as a public figure, and makes outlandish statements that the world would know that Y2K was coming on April 1st. And I live in New York, and everything is processing AOK for us. Becoming a public personality comes with risks.

I don't agree with screaming fire in crowded theater and then selling a exstinguisher to a scared person. And what about that retraction about his statements above about the April 1st rollover?

"I never believed in the TEOTWAWKI." From Ed Yourdon himself, but from reading his book, he sure had me fooled.

-- Pat (BAMECW@aol.com), May 09, 1999.

Pat, your NOSE is getting LONGER and LOOOOONNGEEEERRRRR!!!

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), May 09, 1999.

What??? I can't read what your saying, my nose is pressing against the screen and it is forcing me to hit the keyboard with a broom. I can't sit close at all to the screen.

-- Pat (BAMECW@aol.com), May 09, 1999.

Pat.

Two words.

Web TV.

-- Andy (2000EOD@prodigy.net), May 09, 1999.